45() OKNITIIOLOCY. 



Aug-nst, wlien they becamo oTadimlly common in the lower canons of the 

 l''ast Ilnmboldt Monntains. 'i'lw.y were usually observed in small flocks 

 among- tlic willows or aspens, and uttered frequently, especially while on 

 the wing', a soft whistling note, somewhat like cJ/ih, chil/, chih, quite unlike 

 tlie note of any other bird of our acquaintance. 

 List of specimens. 



884, <? aJ.; Willows, foot of East Uumbolclb Mountains (Camp 21), Augfust 29, 

 1SG8. G — 10^— ( ? )— :.'^. IJill, nniforni born-sepia; tarsi and toes, grajish sepia; iris, 

 lawuuiber. 



[This specimen is icmarkable for its unusually small bill.] 



LoxIxV LEUCOrTERA. 

 . WliJtc-vviiiscd Crossbill. 



Loxia leiwopfera, Gmelin, Syst. Nat., 1, 178S, 844 — B. B. & E., Hist. N. Am. Birds, 



I, 1874, 488, pi. XXIII, figs. 2, 3.— CouES, Check List, 1873, No. 142; Birds 



N.W., 1874, 110. 

 Gurvirostra leucoptera, Wilson, Am. Oru., IV, ISll, 48, pi. 31, tig. 3. — Baiud. 



Birds N. Am., 1858, 427 ; Cat. N. Am. B., 1859, No. 319.— CooPEK, Oru. Cal., 



I, 149.— CouES, Key, 1872, 129, fig. 7G. 



On the I'itli of August, a male of what was probably this species, but 

 in very unusually brilliant plumage, was seen among the cedars on tlie 

 eastern slope of the Ruby Mountains. It is therefore probable that this 

 species breeds sparingly on the higher portion of the loftier ranges.' In 

 September it was common in the lower canons on the eastern slope of the 

 East Humboldt Mountains, where it inhabited the same localities as the 

 more rare L. amcncana. The note of this Crossbill is a plaintive ived:, 

 very different from the hurried chili, di'ih of the other species, or, indeed, 

 the note of any other bird known to us. 



' When first seen, this individual called instantly to mind the adult male of 

 Pyranga eryihromelcena, of Mexico and Central America, so rich and uniform was the 

 bright carmine-red of the plumage, wliile the pure white wing-bands contrasted con- 

 spicuously with the deep black of the wings and tail. It is scarc(^ly possible, however, 

 that it could have been this southern Tanager, which has not yet been taken near our 

 southern border. It should be considered, however, that a specimen of Fsaltripariis 

 mvliinotis, also a Mexican bird, not before detected in the United Stales, was observed 

 in the same locality at nearly the same time. 



